The Gratitude Challenge–Day 10

“Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of thanksgiving.”

—WT Pukise

In America we are blessed with so many things. We live in a luxury that few other countries know. Most of us own cars, have a steady income, have a roof over our head, and know where our next meal is coming from, and yet I wonder, “How do we use what we are so blessed with?”

There have been a couple of videos floating around with pointed messages about generosity. In one video, a young man walks around a restaurant. He says that he has no money and was asking people if they would share their food with him. Nobody in the restaurant was willing to share, but then he went out on the street and asked a homeless man who was eating a slice of pizza that someone gave him. The homeless man willingly gave up the other slice of pizza even though he probably didn’t know when he would eat again.

It makes me sad that those who have so much are willing to share so little, and yet how little it actually costs us!

What would it truly cost people to buy a cup of coffee or a meal for someone who needs it?

What would it cost to sponsor a child through Compassion or World Vision?

What would it cost to serve in the church choir or to teach a Sunday School class?

What would it cost to go to a third world country and serve in an orphanage for a week?

What would it cost to invite that single friend with no family nearby to your holiday dinner?

What would it cost to volunteer at a homeless shelter or to visit a shut-in?

What would it cost to call or to visit your grandmother?

What would the cost be? What would you gain?

The cost of giving can be so little compared to what you will receive in return.

Activity:

Make a list of ways that you can give back. Then choose something that you can do today.